PM meets representatives of Japan Business Federation

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with a delegation of the Japan Business Federation (KEIDANREN) in Hanoi on December 8.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the Japanese business delegation

The host leader spoke highly of KEIDANREN’s role in the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, along with the role of the federation’s Japan-Vietnam Economic Committee in enhancing the two countries’ economic, trade and investment cooperation.

The Vietnamese Government and people attach significant importance to developing ties with Japan and pledge their utmost efforts to boost the strong and sustainable development of the relationship, he said, expressing his hope that Japan would soon become the largest investor in Vietnam.

Kuniharu Nakamura, Co-Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Economic Committee, said that Japanese businesses consider the Vietnamese market as holding a very important position with huge consumption strength and the two countries boast strong trade ties at present.

Vietnam should step up improving its business climate and reinforcing the bilateral economic partnership, he added.

Hideo Ichikawa, who co-chairs the committee, said that Vietnam needs to further develop its infrastructure, such as railways and roads, which are critical to improving the investment and business climate.

Japanese companies are interested in infrastructure projects under the public-private partnership format in Vietnam, he noted, asking the Vietnamese Government to remove any obstacles facing Japanese firms.

PM Phuc said that he hopes Japanese enterprises will pay attention to the environment when investing in Vietnam. He also asked Japan to assist Vietnam in developing infrastructure, especially in transport, as it is currently a bottleneck in Vietnam’s economy.

Vietnam wants Japanese businesses to invest more strongly in the country. They are very successful in Vietnam, which is partly attributable to KEIDANREN’s activities, he added.

At the meeting, PM Phuc also answered the Japanese businesses’ questions on local mechanisms and policies.